favorite doc. films
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Introduction
Most everyone likes some kind of movie or another. The Documentary Film is a category that
gets overlooked at lot, but it's one of my favorite genres. Here are a few of my current favorites.
1
7 Up (1964)
Directed by: Michael Apted
Beginning in 1964, this British series following the lives of various 7 year olds from
different backgrounds is an immense piece of work. The original director, Paul Almond
was replaced in 1970 by Apted. Every 7 years the director returns to his subjects and
chronicles the changes in their lives. Truly fascinating.
Beginning in 1964, this British series following the lives of various 7 year olds from
different backgrounds is an immense piece of work. The original director, Paul Almond
was replaced in 1970 by Apted. Every 7 years the director returns to his subjects and
chronicles the changes in their lives. Truly fascinating.
2
The Endless Summer (1966)
Directed by: Bruce Brown
While this is definately dated, the concept still rings true for anyone who yearns for
365 days of summer. Living in Tennessee my entire life, I have always wanted to learn how to surf. It's on my "To-Do" list.
While this is definately dated, the concept still rings true for anyone who yearns for
365 days of summer. Living in Tennessee my entire life, I have always wanted to learn how to surf. It's on my "To-Do" list.
3
Visions of Light (1992)
Directed by: Arnold Glassman
An detailed look at the craft and art of cinematography, told mostly from the POV of DPs in the business. Covers film from "Daylight" and "Birth of a Nation" through the identifiable studio styles of the 30s, the emergence of noir, the New York look, and the impact of Europeans. Personal favorite: interview with Conrad Hall discussing "In Cold Blood".
An detailed look at the craft and art of cinematography, told mostly from the POV of DPs in the business. Covers film from "Daylight" and "Birth of a Nation" through the identifiable studio styles of the 30s, the emergence of noir, the New York look, and the impact of Europeans. Personal favorite: interview with Conrad Hall discussing "In Cold Blood".
4
An Inconvenient Truth
Directed by: Davis Guggenheim
A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.
A documentary on Al Gore's campaign to make the issue of global warming a recognized problem worldwide.
5
Planet Earth (2006)
Narrated by: Sigourney Weaver
I have only seen the American version of this BBC/Discovery production. Her monotone is pretty funny is some places, but aside from that I can only imagine that the David Attenborough narration is better. Unflinching, violent and laugh out loud funny at any given moment, watch it (If you can) in HD.
Personal Favorites: the elephants swimming and "Caves". It's all golden, though.
I have only seen the American version of this BBC/Discovery production. Her monotone is pretty funny is some places, but aside from that I can only imagine that the David Attenborough narration is better. Unflinching, violent and laugh out loud funny at any given moment, watch it (If you can) in HD.
Personal Favorites: the elephants swimming and "Caves". It's all golden, though.
6
The Celluloid Closet (1994)
Directed by: Rob Epstein
A documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film. Personal favorite: Gore Vidal discussing the Ben-Hur scenes and how homophobic Charleton Heston was.
A documentary surveying the various Hollywood screen depictions of homosexuals and the attitudes behind them throughout the history of North American film. Personal favorite: Gore Vidal discussing the Ben-Hur scenes and how homophobic Charleton Heston was.
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